fallout
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fallout
Radioactive fallout, meaning the spread of radioactive particles in the atmosphere and on the Earth's surface after a nuclear explosion or a reactor accident.
Der radioaktive Fallout kontaminierte nach dem Unfall weite Landstriche.
The radioactive fallout contaminated large stretches of land after the accident.
fallout
In a figurative sense, the negative, often unforeseen consequences or aftereffects of an event, decision, or scandal.
Der politische Fallout nach der Veröffentlichung der geheimen Dokumente war enorm.
The political fallout after the publication of the secret documents was enormous.
'Fallout' is a direct loanword from English and is pronounced the same way. In German, it has the article 'der'.
Der Fallout des Vulkanausbruchs beeinträchtigte den weltweiten Flugverkehr.
The fallout from the volcanic eruption affected global air traffic.
The literal, radioactive meaning can be recognized from words like 'nuklear' (nuclear) or 'Reaktorunfall' (reactor accident). The figurative meaning is often used with adjectives like 'politisch' (political) or 'wirtschaftlich' (economic).
Der radioaktive Fallout ist auch Jahre nach der Katastrophe noch messbar.
The radioactive fallout is still measurable years after the disaster.
In the figurative meaning, 'Fallout' is often combined with an adjective that describes the affected area, e.g. 'der politische Fallout' (the political fallout), 'der wirtschaftliche Fallout' (the economic fallout), or 'der soziale Fallout' (the social fallout).
Niemand hatte den enormen wirtschaftlichen Fallout der Krise vorhergesehen.
No one had foreseen the enormous economic fallout from the crisis.
The figurative meaning of 'Fallout' is especially common in the news and in journalism to describe the negative aftereffects of an event.
Die Zeitung berichtete ausführlich über den Fallout der Affäre.
The newspaper reported in detail on the fallout from the affair.
consequence / episode
Die Folge generally refers to the effect of an event and can be neutral. Der Fallout, by contrast, refers to negative, often unexpected or longer-lasting consequences. Use Folge for any kind of result, and Fallout when the negative aftereffects are particularly important.
Der Fallout des Skandals belastete die Partei noch monatelang.
The fallout from the scandal continued to weigh on the party for months.
Eine Folge des Skandals war der Rücktritt des Ministers.
One consequence of the scandal was the minister's resignation.
